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The Malone men's cross country team, led by veteran head coach Jack Hazen, has captured its first NAIA national title in 35 years and its second in school history at the NAIA National Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, November 17th.  Malone tallied 59 points to easily outdistance runner-up Black Hills State (SD) University, which had 202 points, to earn the second NAIA national title since the 1972 Pioneer men's cross country team accomplished the feat.

Four Pioneer athletes earned NAIA All-America honors (top 30 runners) led by senior Ryan Kienzle (GlenOak H.S.) who finished second overall in a time of 24:24.9.  Aaron Melhorn (Fr., Fairless H.S.) placed fourth in 24:44.7, Nik Schweikert (Jr., Beavercreek H.S.) came in 12th in 15:06.1 and Chris Sinick (So., Field H.S.) finished 26th in 25:25.3.  James Zeuch (Fr., Galion H.S.) narrowly missed All-America honors by finishing 33rd in 25:34.4.  In addition, Michael Coates (Sr., Sandy Valley H.S.) placed 46th in 25:42.5 and Paul Robinson (So., Field H.S.) came in 123rd in 26:28.2.  In addition, Malone head coach Jack Hazen was named the NAIA National Men's Coach of the Year.

The Malone men finished first in every meet it competed in this season, which is believed to be the only time that this has occurred in the history of Malone cross country.

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